Winter Waterslide?

Posted on February 15, 2013 by fairhillsresort

I have found the winter equivalent of the summer Tuesday afternoon waterslide. It’s roof sliding!

Yesterday a crew of 10, Dan Mohn, Lisa, Steve, Emily, Pat, Toelly, Gordy, Shannon, Bob and Caitlin, came together to shovel snow off the roofs of the dining room and 15 cabins.  What a sight to see, 6 people moving around on the roof of the dining hall.  Luckily no one slid off that roof.  Once the dining room was finished, we all climbed up 2 to a cabin, and dug through feet of snow to relieve the pressure on our weak summer cabin roofs.  Even with ice grips on our boots, we were all sliding here and there.  Only Lisa was lucky enough to discover roof sliding; she went right off #12.  Luckily she is uninjured and controlled her fall into more of a leap.  The rest of us just slid her and there but managed to stay on the roofs.  The piles of snow came up near the roofs of the cabin so with a bit of planning, this could be a new winter activity!  You even get soaked in this activity too.

Fair Hills WaterslideFair Hills Waterslide Fair Hills Waterslide Fair Hills Resort Waterslide Fair Hills Waterslide Fair Hills Waterslide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Struggling to think warm thoughts.  Hope these photos help!

There is still availability for this summer.  Book your vacation now!

800-323-2849 or email@fairhillsresort.com

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Summer Please Hurry!

Posted on January 21, 2013 by fairhillsresort

This morning our thermometer read -17 degrees.  It is days like today when it is hard to remember that our summers are beautiful and hot.  How wonderful a summer day would feel today.  Heck, a 30 degree day would feel wonderful.

Thinking only warm summer thoughts today (or we will freeze).   Small waves washing ashore, the sound of children jumping off the dock, a warm light breeze washes ashore too with the smells of summer (grass, BBQ, freshness), a speed boat zips away in the distance, the bell rings signaling lunch.  Please hurry summer!

 

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Summer Employement

Posted on January 8, 2013 by fairhillsresort

Need a job this summer? Fair Hills is currently accepting applications for the 2013 season.  Waiter, housekeeper, recreation director, grounds crew, store worker are just some of the employment opportunities this summer.

Work on beautiful Pelican Lake for the summer with staff from around the world.  We work hard and we play hard.  Employees earn the privilege to use all the amenities at the resort when not working.  Take a dip in the pool, rush down the water slide, take in a game of tennis and soak up the sun.  Summer work at Fair Hills sometimes feels more like play.

And don’t forget the Hootenanny.  The Hoot is performed by our staff!  Always a good show regardless of the singing talent, the Hoot is a weekly favorite.  Check it out on YouTube, www.youtube.com/fairhillsresort

To apply, visit our website, www.fairhillsresort.com/employment, download the applications, fill it out and return it to Caitlin.  Email and hard copies accepted.

Email@fairhillsresort.com

PO Box 6, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502

2013 will also host the Staff Reunion.  Check back for more details about that!

 

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The Barn at Five Lakes Resort

Posted on November 29, 2012 by fairhillsresort

The Barn is finally finished! Well it has been “finished” for about 3 months now and even though there will always be small projects to continually enhance the space, it’s ready. Perfect for weddings, groom’s dinners, meetings and parties, The Barn is a picturesque venue for any event.  You won’t find horses in this barn.  This barn is built for rustic elegance and natural country charm.

Emily & Pat help their groom’s dinner at The Barn in October.  It was beautiful.

Questions about the barn?  Contact Beth, beth@fairhillsresort.com.

 

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What is a Hootenanny?

Posted on November 8, 2012 by fairhillsresort

A Hootenanny is officially defined (thank you dictionary.com) as a social gathering or informal concert featuring folk singing and, sometimes, dancing. But more importantly (and more officially), a Hootenanny is the Tuesday night show at Fair Hills Resort featuring folk singing and dancing.

The Hoot is probably one of the most anticipated activities each week at Fair Hills.  Prior to the show, many ask, “what is a Hootenanny?”  The best way to describe the Hoot without googling the exact definition is,  the Hoot is a hoot!  It is an hour and a half of time that will guarantee to make you smile, laugh, groan, giggle and sometime even dance.

Each year our talented (for the most part) college age staff become the shining stars on stage.  These stars rise to the high standard of the Hoot; memorizing 8-10 songs & choreography, song introduction lines and enthusiastic showmanship.  Nothing is off limits for the good of the show.  Our staff will get cold water dumped on their heads, the men will dress up like women and all will endure off key singing just so the audience is entertained.  What a great group of entertainers we have each year!

If you haven’t experienced a Hootenanny, what are you waiting for?   The Hoot is every Tuesday from mid-June through the end of August.  You won’t be disappointed.

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February 2012 Newsletter

Posted on February 2, 2012 by fairhillsresort

AMAZING

If there have been more than a handful of below zero days this winter, then I’m a monkey’s uncle!  No cross country skiing, at all, but if that means 30 degrees over Christmas break, I’m okay with that for one winter!  I know we talked about record snowfall last year so we may as well have the opposite this year!  That’s what we Minnesotans do you know…talk about the weather…a lot!

WINTER JOBS

As I write, Steve is out checking cabins at Fair Hills for heat left on.  The electric bill came and he found cabin 8 and cabin 72A at about 65 degrees–shucks!  Larry is jabbering away on the phone on the desk next to me, contacting people who haven’t visited for a few years-making sure they know we’re still open in the summer.  Caitlin is putting together a very fun video of “then and now” pictures.  You can watch it here and on Facebook. Garnet is writing to all of you who have mailed in your deposits for 2012.  Justin’s figuring out the Wildflower world for 2012, and the superintendent is organizing the shop.  The way it looks, we may be open the end of February!!  I’m doing things like budgeting, finding fabric for new curtains, ordering new sheets, beds, and sweatshirts and pricing out more A/C for the kitchen.  Those ladies are still too warm on those 85 degree days!   Barb and Dave are back in Florida after spending Christmas with the family at Lake Five.  They’re back playing tennis, doing water aerobics with their neighbors, and walking.  They’ve read some great books too!  Lisa is in Dallas where it is 80 and sunny, at a buying show for her shop in Vergas, Coco’s!! Dan and I are ready for our trip to Hawaii!  10 days in the sunshine and no children! 

THE NEWEST SCHUPPS

Speaking of children, we’d like to introduce you to our first grandchildren, Winston & Eve Schupp.  Anna & Charlie’s twins were born on January 21st.  Aren’t they precious?   Wouldn’t you know it, they came while we are in Hawaii.  We can’t wait to come home and hold them!

Winston & Eve

 

 

NEW STAFF MEMBER

Another addition to Fair Hills is our new sales person, Shannon Malzahn.  Shannon will be luring in all sorts of fun groups to play with us at Fair Hills, Five Lakes Resort and Wildflower Golf Course as our new Group Events Coordinator.  Originally from St. Cloud, MN, she graduated from Tech High School there and also got her bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University.  She has a master’s degree from Savannah College of Art and Design in Historic Preservation.  Shannon lives with her husband, three daughters, and a small ensemble of farm animals on a farm near Osage where the family likes to ride horse and play outdoors.  They also own a concession stand that cooks up a menu of beer-braised meat specialties at a handful of events in the summertime. We are all eagerly throwing around ideas with her.  I volunteered to put a little quip in this newsletter about a promotion that we are offering to you.  If you work for a business or own a business that would host a meeting or event, please let us know!  We have set up an incentive program if you contact us about your group.  If your business does a fun getaway and you give us a chance to bid on it, we’ve got some incentives built in for you!  Shannon can be reached at 218-234-4424 or Shannon@fairhillsresort.com.  Thanks for thinking of us in this capacity!

BE OUR FAN

Don’t forget to interact with us on Facebook.  Wildflower is hoping to obtain 500 fans!  When we get to 500, Justin will be giving away a free 2012 membership!  Help us reach our goal, like Fair Hills, Five Lakes and Wildflower Golf Course on Facebook!

SUMMER 2012

Summer Vacation 2012 is closer everyday.  Deposits were due January 15th ; if you haven’t sent yours in yet, what are you waiting for?  Perhaps you didn’t receive your confirmation email.  If that is the case, give us a call or send us and email and we will send you another one.
There is also still availability for most weeks of the summer.  If you haven’t made your reservation yet or have friends planning their summer getaway, call us to reserve the fun!

We look forward to seeing you all this year.
Beth


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Happy Holidays 2011

Posted on December 21, 2011 by fairhillsresort

YO HO HO From the crew at Fair Hills, Lake Five & Wildflower.

Dave & Barb Kaldahl
We are planning to find some snow after we leave Ft Myers.  With all the songs we hear at this time of year about snow, we expect to find some in Minnesota when we arrive there on Dec. 22nd.    We are healthy (at our age, a very important thing)….and looking forward to some real Norsky cooking.  Merry Christmas !!
Beth & Dan Schupp
We really do feel like the most blessed people.
Emily was engaged at Thanksgiving to her longest and dearest friend-the farmer, Patrick Meyers.
We’re going to be grandparents in February to Charlie and Anna’s twins, a boy and a girl!
Margaret, another farmer, is nearly done with school and soon she’ll be able t

o supply us, and many others, with wonderful healthy choices from her garden.  Marianna is going to take care of our teeth in our old age (U of M Dental School in August).  Carolyn will join the world of college grads in a couple of months (then will join Nan next year) Where do the years go??  Andy just loves school and all of its offerings, academic and non- at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN..
Dan and I are both gainfully employed, we get to go on vacation from time to time, and we’re relatively free from aches and pains still.  What more can a person ask for??Here is contact info-we’d love to connect with you!
Beth:  218 234 1778 -email beth@fairhillsresort.com – & I occasionally check Facebook!
Dan: 320 291 9145 and email dgschupp@gmail.com
Hopes and prayers for a wonderful holiday season for all of you!  From all the Schupps!
Garnet Hultgren
Happy Holidays!  This is the kind of winter I like, very little snow, so far.  It has been fun to read the Christmas letters and look at all the pictures that some of you have sent. They remind us of good memories at Fair Hills Resort.   We look forward to seeing you in 2012.  Happy New Year!
Larry Swenson
Happy Holidays!
It hasn’t snowed much yet in Minnesota, but we are already thinking about the summer!  I’m looking forward to having even more of our talented guests perform in the talent show, sing along at the cocktail hour, and join me in the Wide Mouth Frog!  Last summer some teens had even learned the story in “Ab” so let’s see how many will join us on the Fair Hills stage in 2012!  Here’s wishing everyone a wonderful 2012!  It’s just a few more weeks and we’ll be sharing great times again on the shores (and IN) Pelican Lake!!
P.S.  There are no pirates on Pelican Lake… it’s just a figment of our imagination!
Justin Fraase
Merry Christmas! I hope all is well with everyone. My wife and I are will be in the process of moving into our new home, other than that we’ll be spending the holidays with family and friends. Thank you everyone for choosing our facilities for your 2011 vacations and getaways. I look forward to seeing everyone next summer!
Caitlin Pawlowski
2011 was a fantastic year, I almost hate to see it end but I am looking forward to 2012 and the wonderful summer we are sure to have.  Winter has been kind so far and I’ve been keeping very busy in the office.  I got a puppy this fall and have been enjoying spending time with him.  I hope you and your family have a great Holiday and a Happy New Year!  
Kris DeBerg
I really enjoyed my first year at Fair Hills and hope I get an opportunity in the future to get to know all of you!  Have a very Merry Christmas and my wish is that 2012 brings you only the best!
HOLIDAY TREAT
Beth, Garnet, Justin, Caitlin & Kris took some time last week out of our busy work day to film this Holiday Music Video just for you!
We hope you enjoy it!  CLICK HERE TO WATCH!

 

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December 2011 Newsletter

Posted on December 6, 2011 by fairhillsresort

We wouldn’t be true Minnesotans unless we talked about the weather.  And this fall – well, it has been WONDERFUL!  The temperatures have been warm, the sun has been shining and the roads have been excellent to drive on.  Even the squirrels and the chipmunks have been so happy because of the over abundance of acorns!  What’s been happening and what’s in store for December?

 

Sunset at Five Lakes Resort

Five Lakes  The ice is just thick enough to walk on and skate along the edges.  With so little snow cover (at the time of this writing) it’s been easy to do fall work.  Beth, Dan, Lisa, Steve and Marg have been cutting wood, and working on the BARN.  It will soon be ready for at least three weddings and a banquet this coming year!  The place where the teens used to sleep on “Teen Night Out” in the 1970’s has had a complete makeover.  There are new horse stalls made from the horse barn that was torn down at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  The main level is going to be a perfect spot for indoor cocktail parties, ladies luncheons and meetings for smaller groups.  Unfortunately for Gunner and Chester, the barn is now too nice for them to live in!  The hay mow has a new floor, and will be getting a deck on the south side with a lift to help folks go up and down the steps.  More on that in later updates!

Emily just finished making the maps for the cross country ski trails.  The largest cabin, Cabin 9, that beautiful log cabin nestled in the woods, is available for rent ALL WINTER LONG.  It can hold up to 10 people!  It has a beautiful kitchen, living room and loft, a wonderful log interior and exterior, and a cozy fireplace for those long winter nights.  See photos of the cabin on fivelakesresort.com/cabinnine

There is over 30K of both classic and skating trails groomed in the winter along with unlimited areas and trails for snowshoeing.   If there’s going to be snow, you have to embrace the season, and Five Lakes is the perfect Minnesota getaway.

 

The fog rolls in at Wildflower Golf Course

Wildflower Takes a Winter Break!   More than 130 golfers filled the course the weekend of November 13th.  I guess that they just needed to get in as many rounds as possible and “get it out of their system” before they have to wait till the spring opening.  The grounds crew continued their work through November to assure you have a great golf experience again next summer!

Reservations!  Did you get your email?  Garnet has sent an email to all of the guests who made a reservation for 2012.  Did you get the email?  Check your inbox if it hasn’t arrived, and contact her at garnet@fairhillsresort.com.  Feel free to call us at the musical number of 218-847-7638 or the toll free (less musical) number of 800-323-2849.  The deposit is due January 15th, and after that date we release your cabin, unless other arrangements have been made.

6 Day Special for 2012 at FH!  Want to be at Fair Hills in 2012, but don’t have a FULL week to spare? Maybe this will help!  We are offering two different 6 day specials, with great rates.  Sunday to Saturday, June 17-23, and Saturday to Friday, August 18-24.  Check out the great rates online at www.fairhillsresort.com/specials

$350 Fair Hills Referral Discount: This applies to current guests who refer a new family to Fair Hills! The new family must stay between June 23 and August 17, 2012. The new family must book a reservation for at least 2 adults and for a minimum of 4 nights. The discount will be taken off your 2012 final bill.  Do you need additional brochures to give to your friends?  Just let us know and they’ll be sent right away.  This information is also available online at www.fairhillsresort.com/specials.

 

 

Talent Show Act

Talent Show Tip!  There are so many talented guests who enjoy singing and playing in the talent show.  Now would be the time to look for those karaoke or backing tracks for your performance.  We have had lots of success finding written music and words on Musicnotes.com and several other music related websites.  It also means that you have all winter long to practice up.

 

Are you friends with Pete on Facebook?

Facebook Friends?  Are you missing the videos from the summer, photos from the past, pancake pictures, Wildflower course updates, Lake Five fishing reports, staff updates, and weekly news about Fair Hills, Wildflower and Five Lakes?  If you’re not on Facebook, well… it’s time!  The technology isn’t going away, and is only getting faster and better!  Yes, you can even see it on your phone, too!  We are so excited about all the news, trivia, photos, and comments from the Facebook pages of our three locations!  Don’t let these wonderful pages be just for the “youth” and the tech savvy adults.  We’re looking to be your “friend!”

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November 2011 Newsletter

Posted on November 9, 2011 by fairhillsresort

Autumn view from the Lobby Roof.

It’s already November! The resort closed October 9th and today is the final day of taking docks in so we should be ready for winter at 4:30 today. Yesterday Lisa and I were working on the long dock by cabin 45 and saw a baby, teenager and papa Muskie! Projects are happening all over the place with Gordy putting a new deck on 39A and 40A, a new roof is happening over the library in the lobby (and some other cabins), a few cabins are getting bathroom updates, and there are always new beds and linens to be purchased! We try and take into account all of the comments you leave for us each week, and make as many happen as possible.

While Fair Hills is shutting down, Wildflower has been seeing golfers come out to enjoy the amazing October weather we’ve had this year. The guys do seem anxious to get to their projects however, and they’re doing what they can while people are still playing.

Five Lakes Resort is where we’re gearing up right now. The barn rehab is in full swing as we’ve booked 3 weddings there for next fall. The cross country ski season is going to happen soon too. There hasn’t been a year that we’ve lived in Minnesota and not had snow. There will be miles of groomed track for skiing, and trails marked for snowshoeing and bird watching (for which Hebe loves to come out)! We have cabin 9 available for rent during the winter out at Five Lakes if you’d like to book a getaway, with or without kids. It’s so beautiful (AND SO QUIET!) in the winter. http://www.fivelakesresort.com/winteractivities

We are including a few fun photos that haven’t made it to the Facebook pages. One of my favorites is when we were short staffed for the last two weddings, Barb and Dave “got to” help with pots and pans. Dave had so much fun he volunteered to do it next summer! Barb is sticking to the morning walks and water aerobics! Another fun job this fall was scraping off the seaweed and zebra mussels attached to the Big Pelican. Another great job that Barb and Dave “got to” help with! The fun never ends around here.

That reminds me that we will start hiring staff for 2012 in the middle of January. If you have someone in mind that you think would work out well as a member of the Fair Hills Staff, have them check out the information/application on the website at http://www.fairhillsresort.com/employment.

Finally, Garnet wants to make sure that I tell you all to be watching your email for a letter from her about your reservation for 2012. She’ll be emailing them starting now and all will be sent before Thanksgiving so if you need to chat with family or friends about vacation plans, you’ll have the information you need. If you don’t get your info, please give a call or email her at garnet@fairhillsresort.com as we’ve had issues in the past with spam and email filters getting in the way!

Finally, heartfelt thank you to all of you who were with us this summer. We love being your summer vacation home and are so honored that you choose to trust us with making your family memories.

Fondly, Beth, Dave and Barb, Garnet, Caitlin and a whole bunch of others who make this place tick!!!

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The Close of the 2011 Season

Posted on October 18, 2011 by fairhillsresort

The Fair Hills 2011 Season has ended. The resort has been cleaned and closed down for the winter. Patty has unmade all the beds, Dave has turned the water off to all cabins and Debbie has wrapped up everything in the lobby. The office has moved into Detroit Lakes and it is quiet. Too quiet.

The office in town is in Beth’s DL house basement. Though it is a nice office, it does not have the poolside views of the lake office. It doesn’t have the noise of the waves rolling up on shore or of the golf carts putting around the paths. Each spring and fall we pack up our desks and move. It is great for cleaning & dusting; things we don’t want to move typically get tossed. You’d think that would help us not accumulate so much stuff but you’d be wrong. We have so much stuff! It takes a whole trailer and a few cars to move 5 people from office to office. With help, it usually only takes a few hours!

Summer 2011 was wonderful! It was a busy hot summer filled with fabulous guests, wonderful staff and endless sweet memories. After such a busy season it does feel good to slow down and rest. However in about 2 weeks we will all be itching for the hot busy summer.  At least all this quiet time is filled with thinking about summer.  We are constantly brainstorming ideas to maintain and improve your summer vacation home.  What really helps us get through winter is hearing from you, our guests!  We love to hear from you for family updates, suggestions and of course reservations!

All of us at Fair Hills wish you a happy fall!

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